Variable alignment mechanism

Abstract

An alignment mechanism for independently adjusting the deployable aerosurfaces of an aerospace vehicle in both the stowed and deployed positions. The alignment mechanism includes a guide means having a slot with both a constant width portion and a variable width portion. A slide, interconnected to the deployable aerosurfaces, is pivotally engaged to the guide means so that it travels along the length of the slot. The slide is capable of pivotal movement when the slide is engaged in the slot's variable width portion and incapable of pivotal movement when it is engaged in the slot's constant width portion. An actuator is employed to selectively position the slide along the slot.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In combination with the support structure of an aerospace vehicle having a plurality of deployable aerosurfaces, an alignment mechanism, comprising: (a) a guide means having a longitudinally extending slot which comprises a constant width portion and a variable width portion;   (b) a slide means having an engaging means integrally attached thereto such that said slide means is capable of translational movement along said slot through the action of said engaging means travelling within said slot;   (c) a rod means pivotally connected to said slide such that said slide means is capable of pivotal movement when said engaging means travels within said variable width portion of said slot, but wherein said slide means is incapable of pivotal movement when said engaging means travels within said constant width portion of said slot;   (d) means for interconnecting said slide means and said deployable aerosurfaces; and   (e) an actuator means operably connected to said rod means for selectively positioning said slide means along said slot of said guide means.   
     
     
       2. The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 1, further including a means for locking said deployable aerosurfaces in the stowed and deployed positions. 
     
     
       3. The alignment mechanism of claim 2, wherein said locking means is integral with said actuator means. 
     
     
       4. The alignment mechanism of claim 1, wherein said actuator is pivotally mounted to said support structure. 
     
     
       5. The alignment mechanism of claim 1, wherein said guide means is integral with said support structure. 
     
     
       6. The alignment mechanism of claim 1, wherein said interconnecting means comprises first and second adjustable rods.